Mike Simmons shares insights on the fundamentals of decision-making, common mistakes, and strategies for making better choices. He breaks down the essential components of a decision and emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions, using multiple criteria, and learning from past decisions. Three Key Quotes: "A decision is the choice to cut something off." "Make sure you have your criteria (what), your timing (when), and your stakeholders (who)." "Sometimes, bad decisions were actually the right decision given the information you had at the time." Decision-making is about choosing between options by focusing on what matters most. Mike Simmons explains how to avoid common mistakes, such as making decisions based on urgency alone. By asking better questions and learning from past choices, we can improve our ability to prioritize effectively and make confident, informed decisions. Five Key Takeaways: 1. Decision-Making is About Cutting Things Off Every decision means saying "no" to something else. Focus on what truly matters to improve efficiency. Avoid making decisions reactively—pause and assess first. 2. Ask Better Questions Before Saying "Yes" Instead of immediately agreeing, ask: "When do you need it?" Clarify how important the task is compared to existing priorities. A simple follow-up question can prevent unnecessary distractions. 3. Use Multiple Criteria for Smarter Decisions Avoid making choices based on a single factor. Apply a structured approach using what, when, and who. More information leads to better, more confident decisions. 4. Learn from Past Decisions A "bad" decision may have been right based on past data. Conduct a post-mortem to analyze what went wrong. Improve future decision-making by refining criteria and process. 5. Decision-Making Impacts Time and Energy Management Smart choices free up time for long-term priorities. Investment decisions should consider both immediate and future benefits. Next steps include managing time, energy, and resources more effectively. Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday. Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family. Subscribe here: